CHAPTER

FOREWORD

My awareness of the work of Carl Fabergé dates from my childhood. Schoolboy impressions remain as I remember my father Kenneth Snowman’s excitement at the prospect of a visit of an elegant elderly gentleman, Henry Bainbridge. It was he who had been the manager of Fabergé’s London shop and it was indeed Bainbridge who supervised the creation by Carl Fabergé of the various animals commissioned by King Edward VII as well as many other objects sold to British customers as Fabergé’s magic took hold of the world.

1949 was the year of Henry Bainbridge’s book on Fabergé, the first of many, and its appearance was marked by Wartski’s first Fabergé exhibition. The work of Fabergé remains fundamental to the firm founded one hundred and fifty years ago by my great grandfather Morris Wartski. The late Kenneth Snowman, as Wartski’s Chairman, bequeathed to the firm an exceptional team and an original ethic balancing commerce with the academic excellence that is reflected in the publications and fine exhibitions that have always characterised the life of Wartski.

Kieran McCarthy is part of the team assembled by Kenneth Snowman and continues the traditions he established. It was he who located the “missing” Imperial Easter Egg of 1887, containing a clock by Vacheron Constantin, not seen since 1913; and it was Kieran’s sleuth-like abilities that led to the discovery of Henry Bainbridge’s remarkable personal archive, which is revealed in this book.

Thus, Kieran McCarthy has been able to bring Fabergé research back to that moment when Henry Bainbridge ran Fabergé’s London operation and adds to Wartski’s academic achievements by telling us in depth the fascinating and varied story of Fabergé, the Imperial Russian Goldsmith in London.

I congratulate and thank him on behalf of the multitude of admirers of Carl Fabergé throughout the world for this important and riveting contribution to the continuing adventure of the great goldsmith.

Nicholas Snowman Chairman, Wartski

Opposite page: The Lilies of the Valley Egg; Chief Workmaster: Michael Perchin, St. Petersburg, 1898. Given by Emperor Nicholas II to his wife Alexandra Feodorovna in celebration of Easter 1898. Lilies of the valley were the Empress’s favourite flowers. Portraits of the Emperor and their two eldest daughters rise and fan out of the top of the egg when a pearl button on the side is

depressed. The Fabergé Museum, St. Petersburg The Third Imperial Fabergé Egg. The reeded yellow gold egg with a diamond push-piece stands on a jewelled pedestal, it opens to reveal a surprise of a timepiece by Vacheron Constantin. It was presented by Emperor Alexander III of Russia to his wife, Empress Maria for Easter 1887.

Private Collection; photograph: Wartski, London